On 7-Jun-2005, wrote:

Looking at newpiper.com, a Saratoga has nearly the same specs (3600
gross, ~2300 empty, but it carries more fuel, so not a major
difference.


But if you look back at specs for older Lance and Saratoga models you find
that empty weight used to be MUCH lower. Standard empty weight for an '83
Saratoga was around 2000 lbs compared to the standard equipped empty weight
of about 2400 lbs for the current model. Part of this whopping 400 lb
difference is because the "standard" airplane today comes with full avionics
and instrumentation. But even allowing a generous 150 lbs for those
goodies, the difference in real useful load is still about 350 lbs, the
equivalent of 2 adults.

Specifically, a typical Lance or early Saratoga might have a useful load of
about 1475 lbs. Deducting 600 lbs for 100 gallons of fuel leaves a full
fuel payload of 875 lbs. Two adults of average 170 lbs and 4 kids of
average 100 lbs would total 740 lbs, leaving 135 lbs for baggage. Knock 10
gallons off the fuel load and the baggage could go to nearly 200 lbs. If
you restrict fuel to a still-reasonable 75 gallons payload would be
sufficient for 6 FAA-standard adults (but no baggage). Of course, all these
loading examples assume that you can work out weight & balance to keep the
CG within the allowed envelope.

Significantly increased empty weight is a problem for virtually every
current version of long-running models. This despite lighter weights for
avionics. I guess today's buyers want sumptuous leather seats, thick
carpets, and extra insulation, and are willing to sacrifice useful load.

--
-Elliott Drucker